Are you a grandparent who is raising your grandchildren? If the answer is yes, you are not alone.
Across the country, more and more grandparents and family members are serving as the main caregiver for their grandchildren, nieces and nephews and siblings. More than 6 million children nationwide are living in a household headed by their grandparents or other relatives.
In Clearfield County alone, 933 grandparents are living with their grandchildren under 18 years of age and 420 of these grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren’s care.
The Relatives as Parents Program (RAPP) of the Children’s Aid Society is available to support local grandparents who are raising grandchildren and other relative caregivers.
The program includes a monthly support group where grandparents and other relative caregivers can share their struggles, setbacks and successes of parenting a second time around; learn, receive and provide support to and from families like theirs; and gather information about available community resources.
The support group meets the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Children’s Aid Society. Child care is available and a light dinner is provided.
Upcoming Support Group Topics
- July 15 – Coping with Kids Who Drive Us Crazy
- Aug. 19 – Children’s Developmental Stages
- Sept. 16 – Coffee & Conversation
- Oct. 21 – Grief & Loss
- Nov. 18 – Guest Speaker and Child Psychologist, Amy Finn
- Dec. 16 – Holiday Celebration
For more information, contact Shannon at 814-765-2686 ext. 221 or rapp@childaid.org.
